Display



Sept. 26, 1939.` c. w. ons 2,174,446

DISPLAY Filed Nov. 2'?, 1955 Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE s' claims.

My invention relates to displaying devices, and has among its objectsand advantages the provision of an improved bubbling fluid sign.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sign embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Fig, 3;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken from the position indicated by line 55 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of one of the tubes;

Fig. rI is a sectionalview of a similar tube provided with a reflector;

Fig. 8 is a. sectional view along the line 8 8 of Fig'. 7 t

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a diiierent tube;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of another form of tube construction; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a tube including interior lighting. f

In the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention, I make use of abase I in the nature of a housing above which the sign I2 projects. InFigs. 2 and 3, the base I0 includes a wide part I4 and a neck I6terminating in a flat top I8 provided with a slot 28 through which thesign projects.

'I'he reading matter of the sign comprises glass tubes shaped to denethe necessary letters of the alphabet. In Figs. 2 and 3, the letters 22,24, 26, and 28 are illustrated as comprising glass tubes removablyinserted in socket assemblies 30. The letters 22 and 28 each comprises asingle tube 32 and 34, respectively, while the letter 26 comprises twotubes 36 and 38, and the letter 24, three tubes 40, 42, and 44.

Each socket assembly 30 comprises two sockets 46 mounted upon a plate 48slidably mounted upon a plate 50 comprising an integral part of theT-bar 52 (see Fig. 2). In the latter View, the plates 48 are illustratedas having two opposite edges bent at 64 to embrace both sides of themarginal edges of the plate 58 for connecting purposes. The plates 48may be shifted upon the plate 58 to secure precise locations of thesockets 30 for spacing the letters at proper distances.

All the individual tubes such as those illustrated at 32 to 42,inclusive, are hermetically sealed and partly iilled with a liquid 56characterized by a low boiling point, such as wood alcohol or ether. Theliquid may be suitably colored. In Fig. 6, I illustrate the level of theliquid 56 at 58. The air is exhausted from the space 60, which spaceprovides accommodation for the expansion of the liquid and a heatdissipating chamber.

Within the lower end of the tube I place a wood plug 62 having a centralbore 64. The plug 62 iits tightly within the tube and is arranged inspaced relation with the bottom of the tube, as indicated at 66. TheupperA end of the tube is bent at 68 to provide a right angular reach10. All the tubes are provided with the right angular reach 16.

Means for heating the liquid in the letters of the sign I2 comprises anasbestos covered wire 'I2 attached to the ange14 of the T-bar 52. Oneend of the ange is notched at 'I6 for the reception of the wire 12,While openings I8 are provided in the flange near its opposite endthrough which the wire is threaded. The

.two ends of the wire are electrically connected at 80 with wires 82which may be connected with a suitable source of electric energy.

When the wire 12 is energized, the lower ends of the tubes comprisingthe letters of the sign I2 are heated which causes liquid in the tubesto be heated to the boiling point. Bubbles generated because of theboiling liquid move upwardly through the liquid to be condensed in theupper part of the tubes. 'Ihe space 68 illustrated in Fig. 2 aids in theconversion of the vapors to their liquid state, which converted.

vapor is accumulated in the liquid 56.

An important feature of my invention resides in the provision of theplug 62. Because of the liquid in the pores of the wood adjacent theglass wall of the tube, the liquid is quickly converted into a vaporousstate. After the plug 62 has reached a predetermined temperature,additional bubbles will be formed because of the heated plug. Largebubbles are formed within the bore of the plug. I have found that theincorporation of the plug 62 provides a construction in which effectivebubbling is attained without the necessity of enlarging the lower end ofthe tube into the form of a bulb. This feature eliminates the necessityfor diillcult and expensive formations.

In the cold condition of the liquid, the level in the tube is below thebend 68. The space 6U provides accommodation for expansion incident toboiling. In my construction, expanded liquid flows into the horizontal-reach 18. Since the tubes cannot be completely filled with liquid,

the empty space is visible under it is necessary to provide a certainamount of space at their upper ends. In an unbent tube boilingconditions, which tends to impair the ornamental appearance oi the signIn my construction, all portions of the tube dening the contour of theletters are completely tllled with liquid. Thus, the horizontal reaches10 provide an overow reservoir, in addition to heat dissipating chambersto the end that the letters are complete. In many cases it is difficultto determine the exact amount of liquid which should be placed in thetubes. My angular reach 10 compensates for variations in the volume ofthe liquid so that no harm is done if too much liquid is placed in atube. All that is necessary is to place a sulcient quantity of liquid inthe tube.

Figs. 1 and 3 illustrate the significance of the angular reaches 10.These reaches extend backwardly from the-reading face of the sign andare not generally visible. In Fig. 2, I illustrate a bulb 84 as beingmounted to the base |0 through the medium of a bracket 86. This bulbilluminates the liquid in the tubes so as to increase their visibilityand pictorial aspects.

In Figs. 2 and 3, I illustrate the novelty of my socket assemblies 30.The tubes 40 and 44 are carried'by the sockets 46 of one tube assembly80, while the tube 42 is carried by one of the sockets 46 in a secondsocket assembly 30. The tube 42 is positioned behind the tube 40 andextends horizontally between the tubes 40 and 42. The horizontal part ofthe tube inclines slightly, which is necessary to permit the bubbles totravel through the liquid body. The inclination is not suiiicient to marthe structural balance of the letter.

Because of the slidable nature of the socket assemblies 30, and the factthateach socket assembly includes two sockets, all letters of thealphabet may be formed and the socket assemblies are adjustable toaccommodate letters or other designs of various sizes and shapes. InFigs. 2 and 3, I illustrate the lamp 84 as being electrically connectedAwith the terminals through the medium of wires 88.

In Fig. '1, I illustrate a tube 90 provided with a silvered area 92extending about a portion of the exterior thereof. All the tubes in asign such as that illustrated at |12 may be provided with reflectors,whereby I eliminate the necessity for an illuminating bulb in locationswhere the street lighting is of suiiicient intensity to provide thenecessary degree of illumination.

Fig. 9 illustrates a tube 94 having its upper end tooled to provide achamber 95. This chamber corresponds to the angular reach 10 forfunctional purposes. I distort the lower end of the tube 94 at 91 toprovide a narrow passage 98 for the reception of the liquid in the tube,which passage functions to cause quick boiling. In Fig. 10, I illustratea tubular structure suitable for defining borders and ornamentalconfigurations other than reading matter. The tubular structurecomprises two reaches 99 arranged at an angle to each other and providedwith short tubular extensions |00 projecting laterally therefrom.

The extensions |00 are provided with plugs corresponding to the plug 62.A heating wire |02 is wrapped about the extensions |00 and connectedwith a suitable source of current |04. I illustrate the vertical reach99 as being provided with an angular extension |06 corresponding to thereach 10 of Fig. 6. In a construction according to Fig. 10, theextensions |00 are spaced at such intervals as to provide a bubblingaction of the liquid throughout the entire length of the design.Obviously, one orvmore than two reaches 99 may be used. In borderdesigns of the type illustrated, the horizontal reach or reaches willincline slightly to facilitate travel of the bubbles.

Fig. 1l illustrates a tube comprising an inner wall |08 and an outerwall I0 arranged in spaced relation therewith to provide accommodationfor the liquid ||2.' 'I'he lower end of the tube is detachably connectedwithin a socket ||4, which socket supports an electric bulb ||8positioned within the inner wall |08 for heating and illuminating thetube. This tube is providedv with a displacement plug ||5 of the sametype as `the plug 62, with the exception that it is not bored.

While I have illustrated the tube in Fig. 6 as Ibeing provided with awooden plug, it will be understood that other materials may be employed.Without a plug or equivalent element, the tube is diilicult to heat andthe high temperature frequently causes the tubes to burst. In Fig. 4, Iillustrate the bulb 84 as being provided with a conventional switch ||8,which permits the illumination to be controlled independently of theheating facilities.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing willl so fully explain myinvention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adaptthe same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim: l. In a display device, a base, a transparent display tubecarried by said base and containing a liquid, a heating deviceassociated with the base for agitating said liquid, and a bored liquiddisplacing means positioned inside 'the display tube in close proximityto said heating means.

2. In a display device, a base, a support carried by the base1 aplurality of sockets slidably mounted upon said support, and atransparent display tube detachably positioned Within each socket, saiddisplay tubes containing liquid, and electrically energized heatingmeans wrapped about said support for heating and agitating the liquid insaid display tubes.

3. In a display device, a liquid containing display tube of transparentproperties, and a wood liquid displacing element positioned inside thetube near one end, to cause rapid boiling of the liquid, the woodenelement being shorter than the display tube and fitting snugly therein.

4. In a bubbling sign, an upright doublewalled display tube containingliquid between the walls, a porous liquid displacing element positionedbetweenthe walls near their lower ends, said liquid displacing elementbeing submerged in the liquid, and heating and illuminating meanspositioned in heat transfer relation with the lower end of thedouble-walled display tube, to boil the liquid and illuminate the same.

5. In a device of the type described, a hollow display character, liquidin said display character, means for supporting the display character inan uprightposition, means for heating the lower end of the displaycharacter, and a porous means tting snugly within the display characterin slightly spaced relation with its lower end, to provide a chambersubjacent said last means, to facilitate bubbling of the liquid.

. CARL W. OTIS.

